(Chart, Equibase)
The Nick Zito-trained 3-year-old colt Noble Causeway, a controversial late scratch in the Jim Dandy (gr. II) a week ago, was eased by jockey Ramon Dominguez in the third race at Saratoga Race Course Saturday.Sent off the 19-10 favorite in the $50,000 allowance heat at 1 1/8 miles, the son of Giant's Causeway had no early action and was pulled out of the race before running a quarter of a mile. He was vanned off."(Dominguez) said he warmed up good and broke sharp," Zito said. "Then, after a quarter of a mile, the horse started to act funny and stopped. Usually, after a horse breaks sharp, the horse will continue to run well. Once he was pulled up, he was fine. That's how he has been in the last two races. "I have to send him to the clinic to see what is wrong with the horse. It has to be something internal."Ice Wynnd Fire, ridden by Jerry Bailey, won the race for 3-year-olds and older in front-running style.The My Meadowview Farms-owned Noble Causeway made his first start since running sixth, beaten 18 1/2 lengths in the Preakness (gr. I) May 21. The colt was scratched at the gate moments before the start of the Jim Dandy July 30. Bailey, who was to ride the colt for the first time that day, complained to the track veterinarian that Noble Causeway wasn't warming up properly. Zito said afterward that he could find nothing wrong.